Emerging Standards Of Care

Emerging standards of care encompass culturally competent nursing care, including a basic definition of cultural competence, populations most vulnerable, how to implement standards of care and the impact of care given. These will be addressed in reference to care given in long term care facilities.

When reviewing definitions of cultural competence it becomes apparent that there are many ways to look at the definition which ranges from simple to complex. A simple definition of cultural competence is "defined as obtaining cultural information and then applying that knowledge" (Culture Diversity in Nursing, 2008). Going a step further the best definition is "cultural diversity encompasses differences in age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and ability within a population. The ability to function effectively in the context of these cultural differences or diversities is cultural competency" (Pearson, Srivastava, Craig, Tucker, Grinspun, Bajnok, Griffin, Long, Porritt, Han, & Gi, 2007).

Delivering effective nursing care is becoming important in a world that is becoming smaller through global migration. Due to this migration nurses need to understand the many cultures around them. The United States has always been known as a melting pot but realistically the United States now is "in fact a pluralistic nation one in which multiculturalism and cultural diversity prevail" ("Promoting culturally competent Nursing Education," 1993). Wither you are taking care of a person in a certain culture or working alongside someone who has a different culture then the surrounding area, different norms and standards will apply.

In providing care the nurse needs to promote social justice for all. The principles of social justice guide the nurse's decisions related to the patient, family, community and others that the nurse works with or comes in contact with. Nurses also need to engage in reflection and be critical of their own values and beliefs and how these will impact the care that they give. This is not always easy as nurses often do not reflect on their own feelings and how these feelings can overshadow the care that is given. It is imperative that nurses be educated in transcultural nursing as many beliefs of people can affect the healing process.

The nurse needs to be aware of the cultural groups in the area that they are working with. In the southwestern states it is often the Spanish speaking clients. In the Midwest it is often the American Indian Population. In the southeast there are the Cuban and south pacific populations. There are also behavioral populations to consider. With more and more people coming out it is the gay and lesbian population that brings new challenges to the health care field. If you are working in a Catholic hospital it is the view points of the hospital along with